End of semester greetings

 

Greetings students, faculty, and staff, Wow–it is finals week! I can’t believe how quickly this semester has gone. I’ve learned a lot in my first semester here as chancellor, and I trust that each of you has expanded your knowledge as well. To our students graduating this semester, congratulations! We are so proud of you, your determination, and your hard work. Please stay engaged with UMD and know that you’re always welcome back to campus. I hope that you all have a great winter break. To help kick off this season, I’d encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this restful video. Thanks for a great semester. Enjoy a restorative semester break. Best, Charles Nies Chancellor

Reminder End of Semester Buffet - December 3

 

Dear colleagues, Reminder: join us for the Faculty and Staff End of Semester brunch buffet on Tuesday, December 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Seating is available in Kirby Ballroom and Rafters. We wish that we could include student workers but unfortunately we are unable to due to space limitations. The menu will be soup, salad and slider buffet and includes options for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free. If you would like to donate to Champ's Cupboard, please bring a non-perishable food item (specific needs are listed below).   Champ's Cupboard Needs: Mac & cheese  Peanut butter Organic and gluten free items Dry pasta, rice and pasta sauce  Lighter meals/snacks: granola bars, trail mix  Canned tuna, chicken chicken Dry breakfast cereal and oatmeal packets Packaged meals Toilet paper Note: to make disability-related accommodations or dietary requests, please contact Carlee Williams prior to the event.   We look forward to seeing you there!

Charles Nies Chancellor

Updates and recap of campus conversation

 

Dear colleagues, Thank you to those of you who were able to make the campus conversation gathering last Wednesday. I appreciate your participation in what I felt was a productive engagement and start to the discussion around our values. In the meeting, and through my sketch, I connected our strengths and how they drive us forward. Those strengths include our campus and the Duluth community, our place in the U of M System that continues to grow, and our commitment to student success that is fueled by innovation and integration with the environment around us. We have a bright future and I look forward to building it with you. As for our values, the campus leadership team and I will continue to engage in conversations. We are looking through the input gathered at the meeting last week and will circle back with more information on next steps. I will also work closely with our campus shared governance structure. I wanted to also provide a quick follow-up to a handful of other topics we covered last week. Regents Visit - November 12 A few members of the Board of Regents will be on campus Tuesday, November 12. They will be tabling in the Kirby Student Center from 11:00 am -1:00 pm and are asking members of the campus community to stop by to talk with them. Please swing by as your schedule allows. Leadership Search Updates I recently announced our new VCFO Matt Massman who will start in December. The executive director for advancement position is posted and I want to thank Athletic Director Forrest Karr and Tracy Ketchem from the University Foundation for leading that search. I have also asked Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Trevor Eagle and SGA President Remi Foust to co-chair the vice chancellor for student life search, which will begin in the next couple of months. I am also working on the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs search. I am working on leadership for that search and will use an executive search firm to support this effort. Once those pieces are in place, the search firm will meet with campus stakeholders to finalize a position profile that will be used to recruit top talent to UMD.  Chancellor’s Council on Campus Climate (4C) Core to UMD's values and priorities is ensuring a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive campus community. This last year, the Chancellor’s Council on Campus Climate (4C) worked to review previous and current campus climate efforts and prepare a recommendations report for campus leadership. These recommendations include an executive DEI position on the UMD leadership team, an expanded membership for the council, and intentional collaboration with campus commissions and committees that support DEI work at UMD. The 4C group will be holding feedback sessions with the campus community around the last campus climate survey results, including a Campus Conversation (formally known as the Lunch-n-Learn series) open to everyone on November 26, 2024 from 9:00 - 11:00 am in Griggs Center. You can find the campus climate survey reports on the Office of Equity and Diversity Campus Climate website. Student Success Initiative (SSI) Last academic year, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Life Jeremy Leiferman and Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Trevor Eagle led a team of faculty, staff, and students to review best practices, examine previous data and efforts, and identify areas of exploration that will ultimately lead to better student outcomes in and out of the classroom. This work resulted in a SSI report of recommendations, which was recently presented to the senior leadership team. Moving forward, I am asking the group to consider how we expand our student scholars’ access to high-impact practices that lead to transformative education and student success, build upon some promising practices in advising already deployed at UMD, and consider ways to build strong and intentional collaborations across the campus to advance student success. I also hope they will recommend professional development opportunities that orient us to see all students through an asset-based lens, with a focus on the strengths that every student we admit brings to their learning and our community.  Academic Program Array Analysis Building on the extensive work done last year, we are engaging in a two-pronged approach to strengthen and focus our academic program offerings. Four priorities guide our efforts. Our academic programs will: 1) align with the mission and identity of both UMD and the U of M System 2) use effective and innovative practices to advance student success 3) meet student and community needs 4) be fiscally responsible In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, deans will propose changes that meet these priorities through consultation with UMD colleagues in and outside their units, the Academic Leadership Team, and, where appropriate, colleagues throughout the U of M System. In each case, they are focusing on foregrounding student success by incorporating ideas that are intended to improve retention, graduation rates, and boost undergraduate and graduate enrollments. They are using a “MEDIC” framework to consider what to Maintain, Eliminate, Decrease, Increase, and Create as we fine-tune our dynamic academic programs. Additionally, the Academic Revisioning Committee (ARC) will establish a process that current and future leaders can use to make mission-driven, student-focused, community-oriented, and fiscally responsible decisions about our academic programs. With ARC’s guidance, we will establish a process that will be transparent, predictable, and normalized as a regular part of academic decision making. This process will be established by an outstanding committee, including Jen Mencl and Erik Brown from Academic Affairs, as well as representatives from each of our colleges and from the faculty senate. In order to grow and innovate, this broadly consultative process will help us invest in academic programs that align with our current strengths and future aspirations. End of Semester Buffet - Save the Date! Please mark your calendars for the annual End of Semester Buffet on Tuesday, December 3 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm in the Kirby Ballroom. Have a great day,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Announcing our new Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations

Dear UMD community,  I am pleased to announce that Matt Massman has accepted the position of vice chancellor for finance and operations (VCFO) at UMD. In this capacity, Matt will serve a critical role in providing leadership for the University, advising the campus as we develop plans and implement our future strategies and initiatives, and supporting our campus and systemwide financial and operational goals. Matt is a successful finance and operations leader with more than 30 years experience in state government and higher education. He served as State of Minnesota commissioner of administration, deputy chief of staff, and deputy commissioner of revenue for Governor Mark Dayton, leading a host of central operating, facility, budget, and financial management functions for the state government. In those roles, he oversaw some of the state’s most high-profile facilities projects – restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol and construction of the Minnesota Senate Building – while championing diversity and more environmentally sustainable operations. Since leaving the Dayton Administration, Massman has led public policy advocacy for the Minnesota Inter-County Association. A native Minnesotan, Massman is a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University and a Masters’ degree in Public Policy from UW Madison.  I’m thrilled to welcome Matt to campus, and look forward to working with him. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. His commitment to empowerment, equity, and quality will be an incredible asset to this institution and our community. His first day will be December 2, 2024. Please join me in welcoming Matt to UMD.  I want to take this opportunity to thank Sue Bosell for her tireless efforts in the role of Interim VCFO, a position she has been serving in since March, 2020. Sue’s approach, expertise, and willingness to help during a critical time for this institution is a testament to her character and professionalism. Thank you Sue.  I also want to express my gratitude to the search committee and our search partner Isaacson, Miller for their work in this successful process. The search was co-chaired by Janelle Broesch and Lynne Williams. Other committee members included Curt Albertson, Jannifer David, John Rashid, Lindsey Klegstad, Sean Huls, Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Koryn Zewers, and Jackson Poetz.  Have a good day,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Voting information and civic engagement (Sent 10/11/24)

 

Dear colleagues,  Elections are just a few weeks away, on Tuesday, November 5, and so I am writing to you today to encourage each of you to participate in this important civic process. Voting provides us with a voice in our communities and an opportunity to weigh in on the issues that matter to us. With this being a general election year, voters will have an opportunity to cast their vote for United States President and other important elections. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website has information about candidates and initiatives that will appear on ballots across the state. You can also use their polling place finder to identify where exactly you can vote. As a reminder, paid time off to vote is provided through University policy, which allows employees time off to go to their polling place, vote, and return to work. In addition to voting on Tuesday, November 5, we encourage University leaders to extend time off so that employees can vote early in person if they prefer. Voter Registration: Voter registration is easy and convenient in Minnesota. If you’re unsure whether you're registered or not, you can check your voter registration status online. If you have not registered to vote and meet Minnesota’s registration requirements, there are several ways to register, and unlike many states, you can register and vote on Election Day in Minnesota. However, we encourage you to register before Election Day—it will save you time at the polling place. The deadline to register online is 11:59pm, 21 days before Election Day (Tuesday, October 15, 2024). To register on paper, you must turn in your registration or it must be received by mail by Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Otherwise, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. If you have any questions regarding voting or registering to vote, visit UMD’s voter registration website for resources. How to Vote: Minnesota provides you with three voting options: You can vote in person on November 5 at your polling place. Polls are usually open 7am-8pm. You can vote by mail. Your absentee ballot must be received by mail by Election Day or it will not be counted. You can vote early in person with an absentee ballot at your local elections office. Some cities and towns also offer in-person absentee voting. Learn more about voting early in person. Democracy and Dialogue at UMD: As we approach this important season, I want to emphasize the value of civility and constructive dialogue. I want to echo and reaffirm President Rebecca Cunningham’s commitment to the University’s core principles of academic freedom and free inquiry, and to fostering an inclusive community where we all contribute to defining our future together. While I have strong personal views on many current issues, I recognize those are separate from my role as Chancellor, and I am committed to fostering an environment that fully embraces diverse perspectives. Encouraging dialogue across our differences, with vibrant civic engagement, is central to our University’s mission of research, education, and outreach. Toward that end, as Chancellor, I will refrain from commenting on broader societal issues unless they directly relate to the University’s mission and identity. Democracy thrives on diverse opinions, and UMD must be a space where free speech is supported and respected. We will uphold your right to free speech and the principles of academic freedom. We may agree at times and disagree at others, but let’s commit ourselves to civil discourse, and ensure that no voice is silenced. Thank you for your commitment to fostering a respectful and engaged community.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Campus Conversation - Wednesday, October 30

 

Dear colleagues, Please join me for a campus conversation in the Kirby Ballroom from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30. Refreshments will be served! As I mentioned in a previous message with a short save the date for this event, I plan to share my observations after my first few months here. We will also use this time to discuss our campus values, which will serve as a precursor to our upcoming strategic planning process. I am looking forward to engaging the group in conversation to help shape our shared values. For your convenience, you can use this link to add to your calendar. We hope to see you there! Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Campus updates: System, Enrollment, Oct 30 Save the Date

Dear colleagues,  HAPPY HOMECOMING! I hope the semester is going well for you thus far. While I haven’t been able to get to everything, I have enjoyed concerts, cultural celebrations, football and soccer, gallery openings, and cardboard boat races in the pond at Bagley. It has been a great start to the fall semester and I look forward to all the events in the days and weeks ahead.  I have a few updates for you today.  U of M System I continue to engage with our system leaders and partners regularly. I am encouraged by what seems to be a renewed appreciation for the U of M System and continuing to leverage how we work together across it. The work includes regular meetings, presentations at the Board of Regents, appointment to systemwide work groups, and planned efforts to find synergies and implement collaborations.  Last week, I was also honored to be part of a UMD contingent who participated in the inauguration for President Rebecca Cunningham. Her inauguration was a celebration of her leadership and the U of M’s service and commitment to the entire state of Minnesota. Throughout the day, she emphasized her focus on the health and wellbeing of the university and the citizens of Minnesota. It was a meaningful event with UMD presence, recognition, and even Champ and the UMD fight song.  For those of you who are wondering, we are working through the early stages of planning for my inauguration at the start of the fall 2025 semester. It is not uncommon for Chancellor inaugurations to occur roughly one year into the role. I also see it as a great opportunity to wrap up our current strategic plan and launch our campus efforts around our future strategic priorities.  Enrollment As the semester is now in full swing, I also wanted to provide you with an update on our enrollment. I am pleased to say that UMD continues to see a high level of interest from prospective students, with a record number of applications this past year (up 4% from the previous year). Our new undergraduate student count is up 2.5% and lands at 2196 (compared to 2140 last year). This is primarily due to a 16% increase in our new transfer student population.  We continue to see increasing racial and ethnic diversity among our incoming students, with 17% of our incoming student class being BIPOC, an 18% increase from last year.  We also continue to see improvements in the success of our students. Unofficial first-year retention numbers are up for the second year in a row, rising to 81%. This is the highest first-to-second year retention rate of the previous 16 years. Please note that these enrollment numbers are based on first day enrollment data and there will be slight differences when we get the official data. It often takes into early October before we have final enrollment data.  While these statistics are promising, I want to emphasize the importance of our continued focus and work around student success and enrollment. I am grateful for the efforts from those in the enrollment team and their partners across campus who have played a part in this success.  Save the Date Please mark your calendars for an all campus conversation on Wednesday, October 30 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. in the Kirby Ballroom. At this gathering, in partnership with campus leadership, I plan to share an update after my first four months. More to come, but please save the date.  Thank you,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Welcome to Fall Semester

 

Hello students, faculty, and staff, Welcome to the first day of classes! The start of the fall semester has always been a highlight for me as everyone returns to campus with renewed energy and enthusiasm. This year is particularly special as I begin my first year here at UMD. I had a blast welcoming new students last week and am excited to join you in this campus community. Watch this short video to be inspired by the sights and sounds of move-in last week.  To all of our new students, welcome and thank you for choosing UMD. To our returning students, welcome back to campus and Duluth. The UMD faculty and staff are here to support you wherever you are on your educational journey. Please seek out resources and support; we have designed them to enrich your Bulldog experience! And to our faculty and staff, thank you for your efforts to make the start of this year a success. We join a university environment because we value the transformation that education provides as we learn, discover, and grow, being fully present in the moment and preparing for a bright future. We do that when the environment is both welcoming and inclusive. College is a place where open discussions in a civil and respectful environment are essential to our growth, even when those discussions can be uncomfortable. Lean into that discomfort, ask questions, and embrace curiosity so that together we can create an inclusive community in which we all live, learn, play, and work.  I wish you all a great start to the academic year and look forward to seeing you around campus.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Student Success and Brand Refresh

Dear colleagues, 

This week we are one week out from the start of classes and I am looking forward to welcoming our students to campus. 

During the time I have been on campus, it is clear that at the forefront of our work is a focus on the success of our student scholars. Their shared goal will be marked by graduation. In between is the educational journey that we intentionally facilitate – challenging them to explore, ask questions, and experience new perspectives. Each of you has an integral role in helping our students succeed and I am grateful for the time and energy you put into delivering our mission. 

I am also excited to share a refresh to UMD’s brand. Driven by input from a variety of stakeholders, which included members of the campus community, this updated brand speaks to the inspiring qualities of our campus and our role within the University of Minnesota. 

Our student scholars come to UMD because of the incredible educational experiences, which are enhanced and supported by our amazing location and the opportunities afforded beyond the classroom. This brand refresh celebrates UMD’s courageous spirit, our natural integration across campus, community and environment, and our student-centric culture. That unique combination encourages growth and exploration for our scholars that yields lasting rewards. 

As with any rebranding process, updates will happen in stages. Watch for updated materials soon. In the meantime, you can watch a one minute video highlighting the new direction here.

I am thankful for the early engagements I have had over the summer and to have learned about the qualities you revealed over the past year during this branding refresh. I am excited to build further connections across campus and fully experience the energy of our community.

I appreciate all that you do to support UMD and our students.

I look forward to seeing you around campus.

Thank you,

Charles Nies Chancellor

UMD Senior Leadership Team

 

Dear colleagues,  As I round out my first month here at UMD, I find myself continuously impressed and filled with anticipation for the upcoming school year. Since relocating to Duluth, my schedule has been filled with opportunities to meet members of our community, greet friends of UMD, and learn from many of you about our remarkable university.  My 30th day on the job reflects so much of what I have come to discover about the collective work being done here. I spent the morning on the Blue Heron as part of the Large Lake Observatory’s Freshwater Discover Day. I joined members of the community at Essentia Health and enjoyed the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds show. I wrapped up the day with visiting undergraduate scholars from Korea and Ireland. It was a day that demonstrated our mission-centered commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community outreach.  These are just a few of my introductory experiences and I know there is more to come. I have seen many examples of the campus’ commitment to student success, belonging and inclusion, and discovery and inquiry. With your help, I will spend the upcoming months listening, learning, and asking questions that will inform both immediate actions and drive future initiatives around our shared commitments. In addition to your guidance, I look forward to working closely with the campus’ Senior Leadership Team (SLT). In partnership with our new Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rebecca Ropers, we will engage the campus community as we advance our strategic priorities.  The SLT membership includes: Sue Bosell, Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations  Jason Davis, Strategic Advisor to the Chancellor Trevor Eagle, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Forrest Karr, Director of Athletics  Jeremy Leiferman, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Charles Nies, Chancellor Rebecca Ropers, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jan Sickbert, Interim Executive Director of Advancement Carlee Williams, Executive Assistant Lynne Williams, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer All members of this team report to me, which includes a shift in Enrollment Management from Academic Affairs to the Chancellor’s Office. To support the PEAK implementation, Human Resources will report to Jason Davis until moving to the VCFO portfolio later this fall when we complete that search.  I look forward to working closely with all of you and this new leadership team to lay the groundwork for the upcoming academic year and a more long-term strategic plan.

Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Chancellor's Welcome Breakfast - August 19, 2024

 

Dear colleagues, I invite you to join me the morning of Monday, August 19, as we kick off the 2024-2025 academic year.  Here are the details: Monday, August 19, 2024 10:00 - 11:30 am Kirby Student Lounge Breakfast foods will be available I will give a short welcome around 10:15 a.m. However, I want to spend the majority of the time getting to know all of you and give you time to reconnect with each other. Please come as you are able and I look forward to seeing you there and around campus.  As has been done in the past, we will be collecting nonperishable food and other items for Champ's Cupboard, the UMD Food Shelf located in 245 Kirby Plaza. Unused/unopened/unexpired items specifically needed are: Granola/protein bars Canned tuna and chicken Condiments/cooking items (pasta sauce, ketchup, ranch dressing, vegetable oil, etc.) Organic and Gluten-free Items Soups, noodles, rice Chips, dried fruit, fruit snacks, crackers, nuts Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste

I look forward to seeing you! Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor Note: if you have disability-related accommodations or dietary requests, please contact Carlee Williams at cwillia1@d.umn.edu or 218-726-6202 at least two weeks prior to the event.

Greetings from Chancellor Nies

Dear colleagues,

As I kick off my first official day here at UMD, I am pleased to share this greeting with you. Thank you for the warm welcome to Duluth as I settle into this role and new community. I look forward to meeting each of you and learning more about all things UMD.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer thus far and I am looking forward to our work together.

Best,

Charles Nies
Chancellor

Leadership Updates

 

Dear colleagues, In collaboration with Chancellor-Designate Nies, I am writing to provide you with an update about our leadership team. You likely recall in my last message, that after Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Lisa Erwin’s retirement in early July, Jeremy Leiferman will assume the role of interim vice chancellor for student life. Today, I have updates on the other vice chancellor positions and a dean transition. Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Amy Hietapelto has served as our interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs since June 2021. As interim EVCAA, Amy has been a key part of my leadership team, leading some of the most consequential work of my time here including the APAA launch, UEA negotiations, revamping our enrollment management strategies, and leading efforts around system level partnerships. Dr. Hietapelto first joined UMD in 2011 as the dean of the Labovitz School of Business and Economics and I am pleased to say that she will return to her role as dean of LSBE after a much deserved one-year leave to pursue professional development and research opportunities. Amy stepped into a challenging and critically important academic leadership role in an uncertain and highly dynamic time. She has served our campus admirably and I am grateful she was here when I arrived. I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Rebecca Ropers will join UMD as our interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs effective July 1. She currently serves as the senior advisor for academic leadership and conflict resolution, a role that reports to both the provost and the vice president for equity and diversity. She has held many leadership roles over her 17 years with the U of M. Before taking on her current role, Rebecca served as the vice provost for faculty and academic affairs. Her experience within the U of M System and depth of strategic leadership in academic affairs will serve this campus well and I am grateful that she is willing to step into this interim role at UMD and support us through our leadership transitions. Chancellor-Designate Nies plans to conduct a search for the permanent EVCAA this next academic year. More information about that will be available in the fall semester. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ropers and thanking Dr. Hietapelto for her leadership. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations We will soon begin our search for our permanent vice chancellor for finance and operations. We have contracted with Isaacson, Miller executive search firm to help support us in this important selection process. This position will retain responsibility over the business and controller's office, facilities management, police, and sustainability. Human resources will also be added back into the portfolio. While the search will get underway this summer, the campus community will have a chance to engage with the finalists during the fall semester. I want to thank the following individuals who have agreed to serve on the search committee: Janelle Broesch, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Chief Operating Officer, U of M Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations (co-chair) Lynne Williams, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer (co-chair) Curt Albertson, Director, Office of Budget and Analysis Jannifer David, Associate Dean, LSBE Sean Huls, UMD Chief of Police  Lindsey Klegstad, Co-Director, Human Resources Susana Pelayo-Woodward, Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion Jackson Poetz, LSBE Senator, Student Government Association John Rashid, Director, Facilities Management Koryn Zewers, Assistant Budget Director, U of M Office of Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Jean Neibauer from the chancellor’s office will also provide administrative support. We hope to have the position posted soon. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Sue Bosell for serving as the interim vice chancellor for the last four years. You may recall that UMD started this search in early 2020 and then when COVID hit we stopped it. Sue graciously took on this consequential leadership role at the start of an unprecedented pandemic. She has been an invaluable partner in senior leadership here at UMD and I have come to depend on the fiscal and administrative expertise she has built over 33 years of service to this campus. Sue will remain in the interim role until the search is complete and I am extremely grateful for her support, her deep engagement in an array of key initiatives, and her continued dedication to UMD. Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences In other transitions, I am pleased to share that upon Dean Jeremy Youde’s departure later this summer, Jennifer Brady has accepted the role as interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She currently serves as an associate professor of Spanish and has been with UMD since 2013. She was department head of World Languages and Cultures from 2020-2023, chair of the CAHSS assembly council from 2020-2021, and involved with various committees on campus including the liberal education subcommittee. We are grateful to Dr. Brady for her willingness to step into this important leadership role. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks and take care,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Campus Updates

 Dear colleagues,

As we roll into the summer months, I want to first extend my gratitude to each of you for a successful academic year. This last year was not without challenges, but what I will remember most are the countless memories and valuable engagements with students, faculty, and staff throughout the year. The commencement programs from early May were the perfect capstone to celebrate the accomplishments of our nearly 1900 graduates. Our student commencement speakers, Olivia Nelson and Uyen Nguyen, both spoke eloquently of their time here at UMD and I encourage you to watch those videos if you have a moment. Thank you for your dedication to student success and to this campus.

Leadership Updates
This summer is a time of transition on multiple levels. President-Designate Cunningham is working closely with Interim President Ettinger and has started to engage with members of her senior leadership team. Here at UMD, Chancellor-Designate Nies and I have also had a chance to connect. As he mentioned in his message to campus last week, he visited campus and has started some early conversations with campus leaders. They both officially start on July 1.

Upon July 1, I will assume a new position as a special assistant to the president. In this role, I will continue to support the campus and system leadership transitions until my official retirement on August 7th. I am looking forward to being part of this pivotal moment, supporting the new leadership here at UMD and within the University of Minnesota System.

In consultation with Dr. Nies, I would like to provide a few updates on campus leadership positions. I am pleased to announce that Jeremy Leiferman has accepted the position of interim vice chancellor for student life upon Lisa Erwin’s retirement in early July. Jeremy, our current associate vice chancellor for student life, has been with UMD since he started as the director of housing and residence life in 2014. Under his leadership we have implemented gender inclusive housing, established living learning communities, and navigated the wild world of university housing during the pandemic. I am grateful for his willingness to step into this important leadership position and ensure continuity within our student life portfolio. We are still working through related impacts of this change within student life and the required support for their continued work with students.

I would like to congratulate Jeremy Youde, who has accepted a new position as the dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. Jeremy originally joined UMD as an assistant professor of political science in 2008 and served as the department head for political science from July 2012 to January 2016, when he left to take a faculty position at Australian National University. In July 2019, he returned to UMD to become Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. During the last five years, he oversaw the merger between CLA and the School of Fine Arts; collaborated with his colleagues to create a new collegiate identity for the newly created College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; oversaw the creation of the CAHSS strategic plan; and worked with development to raise funds to support student internships and experiential educational opportunities. We are grateful for Dean Youde’s service and wish him the best in his new role. While his final date is pending, he will be with us until around the end of July.

Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR)
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Katie Schofield as the new UMD faculty athletic representative, effective July 1. This key position serves as the chief academic liaison between UMD and the Department of Athletics.

Dr. Schofield has been with the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2015 and also serves as the director of the Master of Environmental Health and Safety program. She has been involved with the UMD athletics committee since 2020 and will do a great job in this important role and with our student athletes.

I would also like to thank Professor Steve Castleberry, professor of marketing and business ethics, for his outstanding service as the faculty athletic representative for the last ten years. Steve brought a true passion and dedication to this role and was a constant supporter of Bulldog athletics. He will be missed and we are grateful for his support. 

Conclusion
In closing, I am looking forward to this summer and the opportunity for this campus to be energized by new leadership at both the system and campus levels. At the May Board of Regents meeting, I had a chance to present on strategic initiatives here at UMD and highlight some of our key distinctions. (If you are interested in seeing the presentation, the docket materials for Duluth start on page 265.) It is always an honor to represent UMD and speak about the ways in which we bring positive impacts to the U of M System and across Minnesota.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your continued support of UMD and our students,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor